Traffic signal



June 14, 1927. L. E. BALTZLEY 1,6322

TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed June 29, 192:1 5 Sheets-Shae: 1

' INVENTBR zomz'. Baiizley v 1,632,211 June 14, 1927' E, BALTZLEY TRAFFI C S IGNAL Filed Jun 29, '1925 5 Sheets- Sheet 2 June 14,1927. 1,632,211

L. E. BALTZLEY TRAFFI C S IGNAL Filed June 29, l925 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ljlll ll lllll gm lllllllllIII INVENTOR Z0405 E. Balzzley 1,632,211 June 1927' 1.. E. BALTZLEY TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed June 29. 1925 5-SheetsSheet 4 INVENTOR J1me 1927' E. BALTZLE'Y TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed June 29, 1925. 5 Sheec's -Sheet 5 Patented June 14, 1927;

UNITED STATES,

LOUIS E. BALTZLEY OF GLEN nmeninnw JERSEY.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

Application filed June 29 1925. Serial No. 40,388.

This invention relates to the controlling of street traific, particularly at main inter and vice versa is sometimes heralded by an intermediate signal indicating that the change from one condition to the other is imminent. With a view to get moving. as quickly as possible it has become a quite common practice for the stopped line of traffic to start off on the stroke of this intermediate signal without waiting for the signal giving the right of way, which is known to be immediately following. The consequence of this is that frequently the last bit of traffic which had the right of way and which was crossing the intersection when the change signal was given, is out 01f or hindered in its passage by the oncoming cross line of trafiic which started onthe fchange signal, prior to actually being given right of way. I This invention has been designed particularly with a view to eliminating such possibilities as those briefly described and with a view to embodying the necessary apparatus in simple, relatively inexpensive and entirely practical form.

The foregoing and other desirable objects are attained by certain novel features of construction, combinations and relations of parts as set forth hereafter.

A particular new feature isthe introduction at the end of each clearance period of a traffic stopping signal or instr'uctionpositively shutting off trailic in that lane and giving the vehicles still on the way time to cross the intersection before openin the way to the intersecting stream of tra c. This result may be obtained structurally in a number of' difi'erent ways, several of which are illustrated.

The drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification therefore may be considered as t pifying but a few of the many different orms in which the invention may be incorporated. 1

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the ap paratus installed at a street crossing Figure 2 is a combined view oft e signal arms and the gearing for operating the same as they appear at the end of one of the trafiic periods, just as the signal is about to be switched to stop further traficin the then open line, without however releasing trafic in the intersecting lane.

Figure 3 is a similar view of the same parts at approximately the end of this intermediate period, with the trafiic about to be opened in the intersecting lane.

Figure 4 illustrates the reverse condition from Figure 2 at approximately the end of the cross tratfic-period.

F'i ure 5' illustrates the si' al again switc ed to stop the cross tra 0 without however releasing the first line oftrafiic.

Figure 6 is a part sectional and part plan v1ew showing particularl the drive gear.

Figure 7 is a broken si e elevation of these parts- Figures 8 and 9 are part sectional, side and plan views of the si nal head structure.

Figure 10 is a bro (in side elevation of a modification wherein the trailic signalin is effected by lights in place of the rotating arms. Figure 11 is a cross sectional view of th signal head in this form.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the inner member of'the head.

Figure 13 is apartial plan view of the mtermittent gearing employed in the'operat1'on of this device.

.- Figure 14 is a partial diagrammatic view of another embodiment wherein the 'traflics instructions are imparted entirely by flashing lights. Flgure 15 is a plan view of a form of commutator mechanism for controlling the.

li hts.

igure 16 is a developed plan of the com mutator. v

' In the several forms of the invention herein disclosed, the apparatus is designed for controllin the tra c overtwo intersecting highways ut it will appear as the specification proceeds that the apparatus mi ht be designed for controlling a greater num er of intersecting streets. In the illustration the two intersecting ways are designated 1 and 2 respectively and the controller is shown located at the center ofthe intersection so as to be plainly visible from all sides.

In the first form of the invention, Fig ures 1 to 9, the signaling is done by two relatively movable units, the first consisting of a set-of rectangularly related signal arms 3, 4,

45 6, radiating from and carried by a hollow combine to close trafiic along the intersectpost 7 and a; second unit Consisting of a set 1 of similarly arranged ,but shorter. signal arms 8, 9, 10, 11, designed ,to follow the first set and carried by a tubularpost 12, concentric with and surrounding the first post.

These twd setslof signal arms are rotated right-handedly in the illustration, a uarter turn at a time and'one after the ot er .so

that the blades ofeach alternately cover and uncover the blades of the-other. The blades' 4 and 6 bear on their-front faces, the direction of rotation considered, the clear signals Go and the blades 9, 11 of'the second unit bear on-"their rearward faces, corresponding indications so that with the two units as shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the blades 4, 9 and 6, 11in back to back rela tion, the Go signs will be displayed to trafiic on the first roadway. All'other sides of the signal arms carr a Stop indication,

so that under the con itions illustrated the arms 3, 8 and 5, 10 in back to back relation ing wayl 2. 7

At t e end of the period decided for trafiic along the first way, the inner shaft 7 is rotated a quarter turn to carry the arms of-the first unit into the osition indicated in Figure 3 where the bla es 3 and 5 cover the Go indications on the backs of blades 9 I and 11 and the Go signals on-. the faces of arms 4 and 6 are carried up in back of the arms 8 and 10 and so are covered thereby. At this time the, signal shows Stop in all d-irections. and the period of such indication is calculated of suflicient duration 'to .enable the traffic under way to-reach the far side of the intersection and be out of the way of the cross tratfic before that starts. Then,

at the end of this relatively sh'ort clear ance period, theouter shaft 12 is rotated a' quarter turn to the position shown in Fig ure 4 to cause the arms 8,.and 10 to uncover the Go si 'nals on the faces of the arms 6 and 4, and't 0 G0 signals on the backs of arms 11 and 9 to appear at the backs of arms 6 and 4. Traffic across the intersection is thereupon opened alon the second road-- way and continues unti the inner shaft 7 is nextgiven a' quarter'turn tobrin the Go signals on the faces of arms 6 an 4 up against the'backs of arms 8 and 10 and to cause the arms -5 and 3 to cover the Go signals on the backs of arms'11 and 9, whereu on a momentar Sto indicationis'discarrying the, pins 18, 19, for cooperative en gagement in the slots 20, 21 in the slotted gears. Shaft 17 is shown as driven continuously by having a worm gear 22 engaged by worm 23 on shaft 24 which in turn carriesa worm gear 25' engagedby a worm 26 on-the motor shaft 27. This arrangement provides a suflicient reduction in speed to use a convstantly running motor. The relation of the pinand slot gears to the signal arms is illus trated in each instance in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, the pin 18 of the lower, gear being. shown in Figure2 as entering a way in the lower. slotted car 13 to. turn the inner shaft 7 after establis ing the intermediate clearance period and Figure 3 showing how, sli htly ater, at the end of this clearance perio pin 19 on the upper gear enters a way in the slotted gear 14 to-turn the outer shaft 12 and open the'other trafiic lane.

Figures, 4 and 5'illustrate arepetition of the two conditions just considered; the first showingthe parts atcommencement of the intermediate clearance period and the lat-- ter, the end of the clearance period with the signals about to be shifted to open the cross laneof trafiic.

The len h ofthe intermediate or clearance perio is determined both by the speed ofthe parts and the relative circumferential s acing of the pins 18, 19, it being obvious t at the further these pins are spaced apart,

the longer the interme late dwell will be and that the closer't-hese ins are together, the shorter such intermediate dwellwill be. In the disclosure, the pin gears are shown ad- "just'ably fixed on the shaft 17 by set screws 28 so that they may be adjusted rotatably on theshaft for the purpose of varying this period with respect t o'the travel periods. The si by suitab e lighting system. In the illustra tion one or a number of'electric lamps 29 is or'are supported .over the signal head by a central East 30 extended up throughthe.

inner t ular'-shaft'7,' which post also is hollow to accommodate the wiring 31' for.

the lamps.'.,These lights are. shown as pro? tected by adome 32 also carried by the cen tral post. This dome may be. finished inside to. actas a reflector.

'As an additional feature, the dome may be utilized as a housing to cover the signal al inay be illuminated at night head at such times that the signal'rnay not 7 be in 0 ration. This additional function is realize in the illustration by lowering the central vpost to drop the dome down'gver the signal-arms, asindicated in broken lines 'in Figure 8.v 'The mechanism for e'fiecting the lowering and raising of the dome' is shown in Figure 7 as a, set of toggle levers 33 o rated-by a suitably positioned handle 34. is dome raising-and lowering mechamm: may be connected with the motor circuitso that the motor will-be stopped before the dome is lowered and so that the domewill be raised .to uncover the signal of colored lights or lights showing through colored lenses. In this case the signal head comprises but one rotating unit, a cylindrical shield or mask 35 carried by an! inter-- mittently rotating shaft 36 and enclosedwithin a relatively stationary cylindrical top or cover 37 provided in the four quar; ters of the same with an upper set ofred or"S top lenses 38 and a lowersetof green or Go lenses '39. This. statlonary outer coverand lens carrier is shown as supported by a post 40 within the tubular shaft36, said shaft being branched or having brackets, 41

at the top for directly supporting the 'stationary housing and for carrying. the upper and lower lamps 42. 43.

. As shown in Figure 11, the mask or screen 35 is disposed closely adjacent the inner wall of thelens housing and" acts .as-a cutoff for the light, having two diametrically opposite windows the lower portion for registry with the green'lenses and two dia ,metrically opposite peripherally extended windows 45 in the upper portion for registry;

with, the red lenses, I v

The cut-ofl screen is turned one-eighth revolutionat a time bya constantly rotating gear 46 carrying peripherally spaced pins 47, '48 'entering the successive notches 49 in the slotted gear 50 which is secured to the lower end of shaft 36 and is retained by a spring detent 51 engagingthe notches.

The follower pin 48 is shown .as engageable in any one of a series of seats 52 in gear 46 so that the proportionate length of the intermediate clearance period may be varied to suit different requirements.

In the position-of the parts shown'in' Figures 10to 13 the windows 44 in the cutofi member are in registry with the green lenses 39 which show at the right in Figure 10 and at the left in Figure 11, opening this one lane of traflic, the'intersecting lane of traflic being closed ofi by the registry of the long windows 45 with the upper red lenses 38 which appear at the left in Figure 10 and atjghe right in Figure 11. As the pin 47 in 1 one-eighth turn to the mask, the green lenses arecut oil by passage of the windows 44 out of "registry with lenses'38 and the red lenses areopened by the leading ends of the windows 45 coming intoregistry with the upper windows 37 appearing at the right in igure 10 and at the left in Figure 11. Traflic is thus momentarily closed in all directions, enabling that'underway to complete passage across the intersection and at the end of this relatively short period the second pin 48 passes'into a succeeding notch 49 and turns the mask anotherjone-eighth revolution, bringing thelower windows 44 into registry with the green lenses for the intersect ing lane of trafiic', the lens 39 at the left in Figure 10 .andthat'at the right in Figure 11. This last "one-eighth revolution 'leaves the elongated windows 45in the cut-oil still in registryjwitli' the rightdiand window. 38

gure 10-..and left hand window 38 in Figure 11, leaving. the first. considered lane .still closed to trafiic. On completion of the in F1 next movement of, gear 46. the first pin 47 turns the cut-off sufliciently to cutoff the green lenses and display red signals to the second lane of traffic without however openingthe first lane and then. vwhen ,the follower pin 48 imparts the next one-eighth revolution to the screen, at the endof the short clearance period, the first lane is again opened to trafiic.

In "Figures 14, 15 and 16, apparatus is illustrated by which practically thesame.'results are attained by flashing the li hts to give the Go, the All stop and the, Stop signals respectively. In this instance four red llghts 53, 54, 55 and 56 are provided, the oppos te ones, 53 -55 and 54-56 connected in pairs by wiring 577-58 and 5960 with brushes 61, 62 hearing on the opposite segments 63, 64 of a commutator 65. These connections receive current'from one of the line wires 66, the other side of the line, 67, being connected with a common return 'brus'h 68, hearing on the commutator shaft 69, the various se ents being connected withsaid shaft as indicated at 70.

' The four green lights 71., 72, 73, 74 are similarly connected in opposite pairs by the two lines of, wiring indicated generally at 75 and 76 with the" lower rectangularly spacedbrushes 7 7, 78 positioned for cooperatlOIlWlt-h the oppositely disposed segments 79, 80; The red light segments 63, 64 are of slightly greater than'one quarter peri heral I extent and the green light segments 9, 8O

. are to the same extent less than one uarter re 13 enters a slot 49 and imparts a length, a's'indicated by the quarter imensional lines 81 in Figure 16.

' The commutator is rotated continuously in the illustration. -In the position shown. igures 14 to.16, the green lights are off and all red lights are on, for'theintermediate clearance period. As the trailing edge of segment 63' leaves the brush 61, the red lights 53, 55 are-extinguished and simultaneously or substantially so, segment 79 contacts with brush 77 and switches on the green lights 71, 73, opening tratfic across the sheet in Figure 14. Meantime the segment 63 remains in contact with brush 62, retaining'red lights 54, 56 on and traffic closed vertically of Figure 14. As segment 80 asses from-beneath brush 77, green lights 1, 73 are extinguished and at substantially the same instant, the leading edge of segment 64'reaches the brush 61,-cuttmg in the red lights 53, 55, just before segment 63 leaves brush 62, this providing the Allstop period for clearance of the traffic under way. As segment 63 leaves brush 62, red lights 54, 56 are extinguished and the segment 80 comes under brush 78 cutting in the green lights 72, 74, opening the traffic vertlcally of Figure 14. Other methods of switching may be employed to interpose at the end ofeach clear period, a momentary or short All stop period for preventing the to-be-opened line of traflic from cutting off the trafiic then under way across'the intersection.

' It will be obvious from the foregoing that the signal may be controlled or operated either arbitrarily or in a predetermined timed relation and either manually, auto matically or semi-automatically. Various structural changes either of a mechanical or an electrical nature may be made, with the accomplishment of the same or' equivalent results, such changes all coming within the scope of the following claims. To adapt the signal tovar'ious traflic conditions, the same may be mounted on a column at the center of an intersection or be suspended above entirely clear of traflic.

What is claimed is:

1. In traflic signaling, a set of stop and go'traflic directing signal arms, a second set of stop and go trafiic directingsignal arms, means for intermittently and. alternately partially rotating the two sets of si al arms, both in the same direction with the periods of rest of both sets of equal duration and greater than the periods of movement and with the movement of one set of arms-following closely on the movement of vthe other set of arms.

2. In trafiic signaling, a set of rotary signal arms, a set of rotary signal arms arranged to follow the first set and automatic in recurrent cycles connected respectively with the two sets of signal arms and timed to cause one set of signal arms to quickly follow the movement of the other set and both sets to then dwell the longer period constituting the remainder of the cycle.

4. In tralfic signals, a multi-bladed rotary signal unit, means for imparting, rotary movements to the same in one direction,

, trafiic starting indicia on the leading faces of only two of the signaling blades and trafiic stopping indicia on all other faces of the blades, a second concentrically rotat- 'ing multi-bladed signal unit, means for causing the same to intermittently folIBw the movments of the first, traflic starting indicia on the trailing faces of only two of the blades of said second unit and trafiic stopping indicia on all other faces'of the blades of said second units.

' 5. In traflic signals, a multi-bladed rotary rotatable traflic signaling arms and automatic means for alternately intermittently rotating the two sets'of arms both in the same -.direction withone closely following the other to alternately. cover and uncover one set of arms by the other set.

7 The combination in a traffic signal including a rotatable signal head havin outstanding signal -arms, of a dome having a spread to cover said outstanding signal arms and means for lowering said dome into position covering the signal head or for supporting the same in a raised position above and exposing the signal head.

8. The combination in a trafiic signal including a rotatable signal head, of a dome, means for lowerin said dome into position covering the signaI head or for supporting the same in position exposing the signal head and means within the dome for illuminating the signal head when the dome. is raised to uncover the signal head.

9. In combination, a rotary head having radiating signaling arms, a second concentric rotary head having radiating signaling arms coo rating with the first signaling arms, a ome and means for raising and lowering the same to uncover and cover said signal heads and for supporting the dome normally in raised position exposing both signal heads.

10. In traflic signals, two sets of concentrically rotating signal arms, both rotating always in the same direction and adapted one to follow the movements of the other so as to alternately cover and uncover the signal indicia of said 'arms and means for intermittently imparting partial rotary movements alternately to the respective sets of signal arms with the movement of one set of .signal arms closely following the movement of the other set.

11. In trafiic signals, two sets of concentrieally rotating signal arms, both rotat-' ingalways in the same direction and adapt: ed one to follow the movements of the other so as to alternately cover and uneover the signal indicia of said arms'and means for intermittently imparting partial rotary movements alternately to. the respective'sets of signal arms with the movement 0 one set, of signal arms closely following the movement of the other set, inclndin concentrically supported slotted gears eae concall arranged in gears'having their pins positioned relatlvely 'close together.

means for variabl ofisettin 12. In 'trafiic signals, concentrically 0 r- 15 ating relatively rotarysignal'members, s ot ted ears connected. one with each signal mem r, ingears cooperating with said slotted gears and arranged to operate first j one and then the other of said signal m'em-- .20

bers, means for driving said a in gears and t e pins of'said pm' gears topre etermine ly time the successive movements of one signal member in respect tothe other signal member. nected w th one set of arms and concentri-- In witness whereof, If have hereunto my hand this 22nd day of June, 1925.

' 'LOUIS E 

